I was at Ham Radio Outlet yesterday asking the salesman about good radios for trail use for my 100 series cruiser. He quickly mentioned Rising Sun and suggested I learn from you guys. You've got a Ham reputation!

I read through the sticky threads, thanks.

My 4x4 group is slowing moving to Hams, and I am making my move this month. My test is today, and I'm feeling confident.

I've got my eye on a Yaesu 7900. I realize a newbie doesn't really need to jump into a dual band radio right away, but its the remote faceplate that has me interested. I was thinking about mounting it in the garage door control in the center overhead area. I would then extend the mic down to exit the dash and hang next to my CB mic. I've already got a cb under my stereo and I plan to keep it there.

Would any of you 100 series Ham's care to post some pics of your radio setup, share advice, take-it-from-me's, etc, etc.

Welcome. the 7900 is a solid radio. you might look at the 8800 or the 8900 which have a dual receiver so you can monitor a simplex channel and a repeater like the colorado connection. This is handy so you don't have to flip back and forth.

you'll also need to hit up gamiviti.com for a mic holder and antenna mount

__________________See you on the trailWØREKCouple o' FJ40's, BJ70, UZJ100, TDI66FJ40,82FJ60,97FZJ80TLCA#4180

I did a similar install to what you describe in my old Tacoma (FT7800), and I'm also running my FT7900 in the center overhead area in my 80. I'll have to see if I have any pictures of either install. I ran the main wire for the faceplate as well as the mic wire into the headliner, over to the A pillar and down behind the dash. They sell long, 6 pin phone wire (~25' IIRC) and couplers at Ace Hardware for extending your mic that distance from the faceplate.

Found a picture of the Tacoma. That "door" the faceplate is attached to is the garage door / sunglasses opener.

For my 80, I'm using a RAM mount screwed in where the rear view mirror was. Everyone has the opinion as far as the "optimal" location for the radio, but I like mine up high. It's out of the way most of the time, and when I need to look at it I don't really have to take my eyes completely off the road. And no risk of spilling my latte on it.

Found a picture of the Tacoma. That "door" the faceplate is attached to is the garage door / sunglasses opener.

Do you have any more pics of the mic and wires? Where did you mount the main radio unit? I'm trying to figure out where I can mount a mobile unit in my Taco. The newer style Tacos are "bigger", but they sure don't seem to have any good places to mount radios!